Simulated golf course of billiard-like tables



,Dec. 26, 1967 R. M. YABROUDY 3,360,265

SIMULATED GOLF COURSE OF BILLIARD-LIKE TABLES Filed Feb. 7, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2/ F INVENTOR.

j ROABERT M. yqakauoy BY forzzey Dec 26, 1967 R. M. YABROUDY SIMULATED GOLF COURSE OF BILLIARD-LIKE TABLES Filed Feb. 7, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Roatkf M. Kqakoua y United States Patent 3,360,265 SIMULATED GOLF COURSE OF BILLIARD-LIKE TABLES Robert M. Yabroutly, 2300 E. Morgan Ave., Evansville, Ind. 47711 Filed Feb. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 343,328 3 Claims. (Cl. 273-87) The present invention relates to a game, and more particularly to a billiard type game played on a simulated golf course arrangement.

As is known, the need for new and interesting recreational pastime is becoming more acute, with our growing population and the increasing associated desirability for amusement and relaxation. In this connection, amusement parks have grown, including the provision of miniature golf ranges, archery centers and the like.

By virtue of the instant invention, the applicant herein has provided a new and novel game which has particular adaptability for use in amusement parks, providing in the pursuit thereof a high degree of recreation and amusement. The game, additionally, requires skill and is changeable in forms so that the players interest is continually maintained from one session to another.

Broadly, the applicants invention comprises a series of tables or playing surfaces of the type used in billiards, however, in this instance, being irregularly shaped, so that each contains, in similarity with golf, a driving area, an approach area and the green, represented by a pocket or hole. A series of such playing surfaces or tables are arranged in any desired pattern, similar to a golf course layout, i.e. the players proceed from one table or playing surface to the next, as golfers proceed from one hole to another.

Moreover, by a slight modification, i.e. the use of shooting lines, even more skill can be built into or demanded by the game, creating a continual different and yet absorbing pastimes for the players.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel game.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel game having particular adaptability for use in amusement parks or the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination billiard-simulated golf game, where the players progress from separate playing surfaces defining the desired path of play.

A still further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel game which combines skill and, at the same time, entertainment value; which is readily assembled and adaptable for revision for use, as desired; and, which is representative of a healthful recreational pastime.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a plan view of a game layout in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section, taken at line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing details of one of the typical table playing surfaces employed in the instant invention; and,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the applicants new and novel game.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the applicants new and novel game comprises a series of irregularly shaped playing surfaces, in the form of tables, to be more fully discussed herebelow, identified by reference numerals 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 19, 20 and 21, arranged in a desired playing pattern. As indicated hereabove, such an arrangement can proximate the layout of a golf course, for example, where the players go from table to table, as the golfers go from hole to hole, in a preselected pattern.

Each of the playing surfaces or tables may assume a different irregular shape in plan view, and those disclosed in FIG. 1 are representative. The underlying thought in each table being, however, the provision of a driving area, in the form of a stern, respectively identified by the reference numerals 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a, 20a and 21a; an approach area; and, a pocket or hole 30. In order to cultivate more skill and interest, various forms of hazards and obstacles 31 are provided, as, for example, windmills, loops, traps, hills, rocks, and the like, which may either be fixed or removable, as desired, representatively shown in the figures.

As to the playing surface or table structure, and considering FIG. 2 in particular, each is generally standard in form, comprising a leg supported playing surface 35 bounded by a conventional bumper strip 38, all of which should be apparent.

In use, the players may each, for example, have a differently colored ball which is propelled, as in billiards, by a cue. The objective being, as in golf, to place the ball in the pocket or hole 31 with the fewest number of plays, each player keeping his score from table to table and finally determining the over-all winner.

As an alternative form of invention, and referring to FIG. 3, the applicant disposes one or more shooting lines 40 in preselected portions of each table, where, in this instance, the cue ball is preferably employed to propel the ball of each player. Additional skill is attained because the cue ball can only be positioned on or along the shooting line 40. In other words, another factor is employed to control the procedure of the game and to provide additional scoring deterrent.

As should be apparent, the arrangement of tables or playing surfaces defining the instant invention can be maintained indoors or out-of-doors, and by virtue of the instant invention, the resulting game is interesting as well as rewarding insofar as skill improvement is concerned. The applicants invention represents an important addition to the amusement area, and one which is susceptible to adaptation for local needs.

The game described hereabove is, of course, susceptible to changes within the spirit of the invention. For example, a Wide variety of playing surface table shapes might be employed, as well as dilferent dimensions and playing patterns insofar as the obstacles and hazards thereon are concerned. Thus, the preceding description should be considered illustrtaive, and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A game comprising, in combination, a striking implement, a ball, and a plurality of tables arranged in a preselected playing pattern, the shapes of said tables in plan view being different from each other, said striking implement having an elongated body with a ball striking surface at an end thereof, and said tables each having a playing surface including a driving area, an approach area, and a hole, said driving area being elongated and openinto onto said approach area, said approach area being en: larged in relation to said driving area and containing said hole, the height of each of said tables corresponding to the height of a conventional billiard table and said playing pattern approximating the layout of a golf course, whereby a player may propel said ball from the driving area on a first of said tables With said implement, hole out thereon as in playing golf, proceed to a next table and repeat the shooting procedure followed on said first table, to thereby play a simulated game of golf.

2. The game of claim 1 Where a shooting line is disposed on said playing surface in a preselected pattern.

3. The game of claim 2 where said shooting line is disposed on said elongated driving area.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 84,224 5/1931 Valvano.

5 1,221,181 4/1917 Hooper.

1,732,574 10/1929 Brown et al. 1,875,198 8/1932 Nagai.

FOREIGN PATENTS 29,957 7/ 1931 Australia. 10 1,045,826 7/ 1953 France.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Examiner.

15 L. J. BOVASSO, G. J. MARLO, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A GAME COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A STRIKING IMPLEMENT, A BALL, AND A PLURALITY OF TABLES ARRANGED IN A PRESELECTED PLAYING PATTERN, THE SHAPES OF SAID TABLES IN PLAN VIEW BEING DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER, SAID STRIKING IMPLEMENT HAVING AN ELONGATED BODY WITH A BALL STRIKING SURFACE AT AN END THEREOF, AND SAID TABLE EACH HAVING A PLAYING SURFACE INCLUDING A DRIVING AREA, AN APPROACH AREA, AND A HOLE, SAID DRIVING AREA BEING ELONGATED AND OPENING ONTO SAID APPROACH AREA, SAID APPROACH AREA BEING ENLARGED IN RELATION TO SAID DRIVING AREA AND CONTAINING SAID 